CIMSPA CPD Highlight: Study Active

Our Quality Assurance(QA) team at CIMSPA recently made a visit to Study Active's headquarters in Hitchin and conducted a quality assessment on their CIMSPA endorsed courses.

Study Active uses a blended learning delivery method utilising e-learning, practical workshops, webinars and dedicated tutorials to empower students to become fitness professionals. They believe this approach allows students to work at their own pace and wrap their studies around other commitments.

We caught up with James Luscombe, Founder and Education Director at Study Active to find out how he found the process and get some imput from him on how he is finding his working relationship with CIMSPA.

How important is Quality Assurance to you and your organisation?

Quality assurance is very important to us as it is part of our mission to provide high quality education and training, which is fit for the industry in which we serve. For this reason, we have always invested heavily in quality and worked closely with our awarding organisation Active IQ, who have been incredibly supportive, to ensure we have always had a “low risk” status. We feel that not only does quality assurance standardise what we are offering against national standards, but it also gives our customers the peace of mind that what we offer is consistent with what the sector demands.

It is interesting that you mention Active IQ being your AO and having their QA process. Did you feel a CIMSPA QA visit was overkill or another level of assurance?

When CIMSPA started to roll out their External Quality Assurance process, I was a little uncertain about the need for this, especially as we had already had our AO EQA visit. As soon as I met the CIMSPA QA however, I soon realised the value that this visit would bring. Not only did the CIMSPA EQA visit completely back up what our AO found (which was a low risk centre with outstanding quality) but it also helped us think of ways we could move forwards as a business. This included advice on how we could make the most of our partnership with CIMSPA and suggestions in regard to increasing our links within the sector. We found this incredibly useful and it really helped strengthen our links with CIMSPA.

You have been a CIMSPA partner for a few years now, how have you found the partnership so far?

We have partnered with CIMSPA since 2016 when we first became a skills development partner (now training provider partner). We have always valued our relationship with CIMSPA and have always kept abreast of developments through our dedicated contact. I must say post visit, it has opened up our eyes to a whole world of opportunities that we can work with CIMSPA on, including engaging with their online resources, attending their events and encouraging our community of students and graduates to become members too.

Study Active have grown a lot over the past couple of years, what is your vision for the future?

It is very much our aim to be recognised as one of the UK’s highest quality providers of Gym & PT qualifications, with it being our intention to achieve this recognition on a “quality over quantity” basis. We want our training to be recognised as having outstanding quality and hope that students choose to enrol with us for this reason. We would also like to ensure that students recognise our brand alongside the CIMSPA brand, so they know that when they learn with Study Active they are taking a course with a provider that works closely with CIMSPA in ensuring standards.

It's great to know that you share the same vision as we do. What do you think CIMSPA need to do next in order to turn that vision into a reality?

I think it should be CIMSPA’s goal to now promote the message to the entire sector, that the CIMSPA badge is the one to look for when choosing training. This is a badge we are proud to hold!

After the visit I understand you received an “outstanding” rating. Was there anything specific you learned from the visit?

In addition to continuing to enjoy the outstanding support of our AO Active IQ, it’s great to know that CIMSPA are also in our corner and that we as a company can take advantage of the support networks CIMSPA are providing us with. The future is bright!

Further, you will have regular, detailed, individual coaching and support from our team of experts to support you in achieving your qualification. Assessments are also flexible and can be carried out at one of our centres at various locations across the UK.

Interested? Please get in touch and let us empower you to start or progress your career in the fitness industry.

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